Wednesday, August 23, 2006
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. . . . For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
SEEK TO BE FOOLISH
Digital cameras and cell phones, computers in our cars and in our homes, live television beamed off of satellites from a world away -- it's easy to be amazed and even overwhelmed by the advancements in technology that have been made in the last 25 years. Many of the conveniences we now enjoy were not even around 50 years ago. Think of it, people for the most part received their news by radio 75 years ago and knew nothing of digital cameras, computers and cell phones.
God has allowed what appear to us to be leaps and bounds in technological advances. But, you don't hear anyone thanking God for such things, do you? Sadly, such advances are paraded merely as examples of advances in human wisdom.
So you want to be wise? We all do. No one likes to be considered foolish, dull, or stupid. If you want to be smart then learn to be foolish by the world's standards and wise in God's sight!
God declares in the Bible that forgiveness of sins and right standing with himself has been won through Christ, but those dying in their sins say that the Good News is nonsense. Rather than receive the good news, intelligent human beings scornfully suggest that such reconciliation could be accomplished in some other way!
The message of the cross is a message of reconciliation without our human effort. It is the power, the dynamite of God. We believe, but not because we are wiser than they, but simpler, more foolish, granted the grace to believe the simple message by the Spirit of God. Human wisdom dismisses it as it once did the fact that the earth is round. Tell me now, who is wise?
Moreover, God who could have written the way of Salvation across the sky with clouds or so aligned the stars -- has chosen to reveal Himself through words and to save those who believe the seeming foolishness of the message.
So if someone tells you that what you believe, namely that Jesus the Son of God died to redeem you to God, is nonsense -- you may smile and say, "It may appear foolish to you, but it is in truth the revelation God has given." Remember the words of wise Solomon (Proverbs 2:6): "For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding."
